HC Deb 29 July 1975 vol 896 cc465-6W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the cost to the funds of the EEC of the proposed sale of surplus skimmed milk powder to developing countries; and what will be the cost to the United Kingdom alone.

Mr. Bishop

The loss to Community funds arising from the reduction of price agreed by the Council on 21st-22nd July is estimated at £4.6 million by 1st April 1976, in addition to the £9.2 million which would have been incurred on the sale of 50,000 tonnes under the old arrangement. The United Kingdom contribution is made towards expenditure as a whole, rather than to individual items, but the key rates are 13.57 per cent. and 16.30 per cent. for the 1975 and 1976 Budgets respectively.

Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the tonnages from each EEC country which comprise the current surplus of skimmed milk powder.

Mr. Bishop

The following EEC intervention stocks of skimmed milk powder were reported on 24th July 1975:

tones
Belgium 74,000
Denmark 33,000
Germany 292,000
France 292,000
Ireland 37,000
Italy
Luxembourg 5,000
Netherlands 102,000
United Kingdom 18,000
853,000